TopFoot and Mouth Disease Information
(Last updated 6/3/2001)
Firstly, we would like to confirm that Houston Farm Riding School is still open
Some information is below to help you to quickly gain an understanding of the situation relating to horses. The links at the bottom of the page can be used to collect further information as required;
If you have any further questions please feel free to e-mail Houston by clicking here
Horses do not get the disease, and they cannot ‘carry’ the disease in the medical sense. However, they can transmit it via their hooves, just as people can on their boots.
Horses on infected farms will not have to be slaughtered. The Animal Health Officers at the Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed this to be the case. However, they would probably have to be quarantined.
"The BHS is advising horse owners not to hack out on bridleways, common land, or moorland, and to stay away from roads in rural areas. Although the movement order does not apply to horses, the BHS advises that horse owners should not transport their horses anywhere, and is asking those holding events to postpone them until the situation is more stable."
For full details please click the following links http://www.bhs.org.uk/News-PR/27-Feb-2001.htm
http://www.bhs.org.uk/News-PR/PR_26_Feb_01.htm.
At Houston we are taking the following precautionary measures and ask our clients to assist with these measures;
Straw soaked in disinfectant is located at the entrance to the car parking areas.
A tray of disinfectant is located in the car park to allow clients to disinfect their footwear prior to entering and before leaving Houston.
No horses will be moved into or out of Houston until further notice.
Please do not bring other animals such as dogs to Houston until further notice as they too can spread the disease.
All Dressage & Jumping events are cancelled until further notice.
All International training clinics are also cancelled until further notice.
Your co-operation with the steps noted above is appreciated.
Additional Informative Links
The following links take you other sites on the internet which have information on the disease.
http://www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/default.htm
http://www.horsefeeds.co.uk/newslatest.htm
http://www.ponyclub.co.uk/_pc/about/FootandMouth.htm
http://www.bef.co.uk/latestne.htm